Signboard structure for truck bodies



June 3, 1930.

S. E. TRAVIS, JR

SIGNBOARD STRUCTURE FOR TRUCK BODIES Original Filed Jan. 26, 1928 INVENTOR. v E. Wards; J4

Q Simeon ATT I Patented June 3, 1930 uNiTs "STATE smnon n. 'rnA'vIs m,'or rm'rrmsnune, mssrssrrrrj sienroann srrauozrunn ron *rnncx Bonms Original application nee January so,

1928, Serial in. 249,693. I mvma and this application filed. march 5, 1929. Serial No. 344,530.-

This invention relates to a sign board structure designed primarily for use in connection with metallic or other truck bodies of the plural deck type, but it is to be understood that a sign board structure, in accordance with this invention may be employed 1n any connection for which it is found applicable.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application is an Improvement upon the e form of sign board structure disclosed in Patent 1,614,412 and a division of my application filed January 26, 1928, Serial No. 249,693,

and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a strong, rigid,-du-,

rable," compact sign board structure for d1s position in spaced relation over, lengthwise of and in alignment with the longitudinal median of the top. or-the upper deck of a truck'- body for conspicuously displaying-advertis ing or other matter on one or both sides of the structure. I

A further object of the invention is to'provide, in a manner as hereinafter .set forth, a

' sign board structure capable of being read ily assembled and expeditiously installed with {)esdpect to the top or the upper deck of a truck Vgith the foregoing and other. objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arran .ement of parts as hereinafter more speci cally de-.

scribed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood 5 that changes, variations and modifications can beresorted to whichfall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several'views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section of the upper portion of a metallic truck body of the plural deck type, showing byway of example the adaptation of a sign board structure, in accordance with this invention with respect to the truck body.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 Figure 1. Figure 3 is a fra mentary View in perspective of a corner of t e upper deck of the truck' body showing the manner: in which the sign end edge of: the horizontal leg of the rail 7 I secured upon the horizontal legof the rail'4 board structure is detachably connected to the truck body.

Fi. ure 4 is a cross sectional view of a modified orm of sign board structure. ,1]

' Figure 5 is a view similar to Fi 65 lustrating themanner in which the sign board structure is body. I

The construction of the truck body to which the' sign board structure is connected is specifically set forth in my application referred to. However, reference will be made to the flooring, the side rails 6, 7 of-the upper deck and the end rails 4;, f such deck. Reference will also be had to the manner of setting up the corners of the upper deck as il lustrated in Figure 3 which shows the flooring 1, an end rail 4, aside rail 7, an end plate 14 a supporting rail 16 seating on the latter and upon which is mounted the end rail4, a retaining rail 17 of angle-shaped cross section posltioned against the inner face of the plate 14 and against the lower face of the horizontal portion of the rail 16, a corner rail 18 and retaining member-26 for plate 14. The horiozntal leg of the rail 4 and the 11011';

permanently secured to the truck zontal'leg of the rail 7 are cut-away to provide .an opening 28. Said horizontal legs, how.-

ever, are of a length whereby a portion of the willv abut against the free side 'edge of the horizontal leg ofv the rail 4. The abutting edges are welded together as at 29.

' A gusset plate. 30 has its inner'side edge secured to the rail 16 and retaining member 17. The horizontal leg of the rail 4 is welded to the rail 16- and retaining member 17 The purpose of the opening'28 will be presently referred to. I A channel iron 44 is to prevent the cratesor boxesfrom shifting in the corner of the deck and said channel iron' 44 acts as a spacer member between the I eraltels or boxes and the vertical leg o'f'the rai The corner construction as'shown in Figure 3, is employednfor detachably securing in position the supporting means of the sign board structure. The sup orting means of 199 the sign board structure the forward and rear ends of thetruck body ends of the truck body and the means at the forward end is constructed in the same manner as the means at the rear end. I The supporting means for the sign board structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 is detachable, but it is obvious that said supporting means can be welded if desired to the ends of the truck body. A The sign board structure includes a pair of supporting members referred to generally at 54, 55, each in the form of an arch and each of which consists of a central flat portion 56, a pair of oppositely extending, depending, outwardly inclined, intermediate portions 57, 58, and a pair of vertically extending lower portions 58', 59. Each supporting member is set up from an angle bar.

Secured to each intermediate portion and depending below each lower portion is a coupling member 60 provided with spaced aper-- tures. The coupling member conforms in shape to its associated intermediateportion and lower portion of the supporting member. Welded to the inner faces of the vertical legs of the side and end rails of the upper deck is a vertically disposed block 61 which projects above said vertical legs and depends into the intermediate deck. Each block is formed with a pair of spaced sockets having threaded walls. The coupling members are provided with openings registering with the sockets. The coupling members 60 extend down through the openings 28. Holdfast devices 62'are adapted to extend through the apertures in the coupling members 60 and engage with the threaded walls of the sockets in the block 61. The foregoing arrangement porting members to the front and rear corners of the truck body. The members 54, 55 seat on the top edges of the side and end rails of the upper deck. See Figure 3. The sign board structure may be welded to the truck body and in this connection see Figure 5, which illustrates welded to the lower portion of the supporting mem A ber', such lower portion being indicated at 63, a coupling mem cf 64 which is adapted. to be welded to the vertical legsQof the side and end rails of the deck, the-lower portions 63' being seated upon the top edges of the ver-' tical legs of the sideand endrails and being welded thereto. Figures-1 and 2, the

display board which "has'its ends mounted upon the intermediate portions 56 of the supporting members 54, 55. The panel or display board is indicated at and is not removable. The panel or display board 70 is positioned between two rectangular frames 71, 72, each of which is of angle-shaped cross section and said frames are oppositely disposed with respect to each other. The frames 71, 72 are welded to the intermediate portions 56 of the sup orting members 54, 55. The frames 71, 72 a ut against the panel or display board 70 and are flush-with the top edge of the latter as wellas its endedges.

Combined bracing and retaining straps 73 of inverted V-shape extend over the tops of the frames 71,72 as well as being Welded thereto. The straps 73 have fiat central parts 74 which are mounted directly against'the tops of the frames and welded therewith. The straps 73 are flanged as at 75 and welded to the intermediate portions 56 of the supporting members.

With reference to Figure 4 the si structure is of a type to permit of t e panel or display board 76 tobe removed when 00: casion requires and a new one substituted. Rectangular. frames 77, 78 are positioned against opposite faces of the panel 76. The frames are flush with the top edge of the panel. Each frame is of angle shaped cross section.-v The figames are oppositely disposed with respect to each other. The panel and frames have theirends seat upon the intermediate portions 56 of the supporting members 54, 55. Combined retaining .and bracing straps 79 of inverted V-shape are employed for the'display board 76 andframes 77 7 8.

The straps 79 have their lower ends 80 board flanged. The straps are provided with flat 56 of the. supporting members by holdfast del vices 83. The flanges 80are secured to the portions 56 of the supporting members by holdfast devices 84. provides for detachably connecting the sup- It is thought that many advantages of a invention can be readily understood, and although .the preferred embodiment of the sign board istructure,.in accordance with this 17 invention is as illustrated and described, yet.

it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

-. 1. 'A sign board structure for-truck bodies comprising a pair of arch-shaped, upstanding, spaced supporting elements adapted to be connected with the truck body at the ends thereof and each formed of a single length of material a display panel for disposition lengthwise of the truckbody and having its ends seated directly upon said elementscentrally of the top of the latter, and means for" anchoring said panel to said elem'ents,said

pending from the ends of said elements forconnecting them to the truck body,-a dis- .play panel for disposition lengthwiseof the truck body and having its ends seated on the top of said elements, and means for anchoring said panel to said elements, said an'choring means abutting against the marginal portions of both faces and seated on the top of said panel and further seated on and secured to said elements.

3. A sign board structure for truck bodies comprising a pair'of upstanding supporting elements arranged in spaced relation, each of said elements formed from a single length r of material of arch-shaped contour, means for connecting said elements to the truck body, a display panel standing on one of itsedges and having-the ends of the latter seated on said elements, and means including inverted, upstanding V-shaped-braces for anchoring said panel to said elements.

4. A sign board structure for truck bodies comprising a pair of upstanding supporting elements arranged in spaced relation, each of said elements formed from'a single length of material of arch-shaped contour, means for connecting said elements to the truck body, a display panel standing on one of itsedges and having the ends of the latter seated 7 A sign board structure com rising a pair of spaced, arch-shaped, upstan ing supporting elements each having a flattened portion,

a display panel standing on one of its edges and having the ends of such edge seated on said flattened portions, upstanding, inverted,

V-shaped braces overlappmg said panel and secured to said flattened portions, and frame elements positioned against opposite side faces of the panel, seated on and secured to said flattened portions and abutting and se-f cured to said braces.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto. SIMEON E. TRAVIS,-JR.

on said elements, and means including inverted, upstanding V-shaped braces for anchoring said panel to said elements,-said anchoring means abutting against and seated on said panel and further seated on said elements. I

5. A sign board structure for truck bodies comprising a pair of upstanding supporting elements arranged in spaced relation, means for connecting said elements to the truck body, a display panel standing on one of its edges and having the ends of the latter seated on said elements, a pair of oppositely disposed frames positioned against the side faces of said panel,'flush with the edges of the latter and seated on said elements, and combined bracing and retaining straps connected intermediate their ends to the tops of said frames and having their ends connected to saidelements. 7

6. A sign board structure, com rising a pair of spaced, arch-shaped, upstan ing supporting elements each having a flattened portion, a display panel standing on one of its edges and having the ends of'such edge seated on said flattened portions, and upstanding inverted, V-shaped braces overlapping said panel and secured to said flattened portions. 

